Minutes 04-22-14 MINUTES OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING HELD IN
COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 100 E. BOYNTON EACH BLVD.,
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014, AT 6:30 P.M.
PRESENT:
Roger Saberson, Chair Ed Breese, Principal Planner
Ryan Wheeler, Vice Chair
James Brake
Sharon Grcevic
David Katz
Brian Miller
Gregory Murphy
Stephen Palermo, Alternate
Aieshia Macon, Alternate
1. Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Saberson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Grcevic led the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
2. Introduction of the Board
Chair Saberson introduced the members of the Board.
3. Agenda Approval
Mr. Katz moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Brake seconded the motion that passed
unanimously.
4. Approval of Minutes — February 25, 2014
Mr. Katz moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Murphy seconded the motion that passed
unanimously.
5. Communications and Announcements: Report from Staff
Ed Breese, Planning and Zoning, Principal Planner, reported the two items
discussed at the February 25, 2014 meeting; The (Storage Center (NWSP 14-001) and
the Boynton Old School Commercial Center (LUAR 14-001), were both approved by the
City Commission.
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Meeting Minutes
Planning and Development Board
Boynton Beach, FL. April 22, 2014
6. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Mr. Katz moved for unanimous consent to nominate Ryan Wheeler as Vice Chair and
Roger Saberson as Chair of the Board Ms. Grcevic seconded the motion that passed
unanimously
7. New Business
Attorney Weinger administered an oath to all those intending to testify.
A. Gateway Hotel (SPTE 14 -001) — Approve request for Site Plan Time
Extension approval for Gateway Hotel (NWSP 09 -003) to construct a four (4)
story, 77,744 square foot, 108 room hotel and related site improvements on
2 77 acres, located on the west side of the Lake Worth Drainage District
(LWDD) E -4 Canal, between Gateway Boulevard and Quantum Boulevard.
Applicant: John Vaughan, Art & Architecture, Inc.
John Vaughan, Art and Architecture, Inc., 1055 SW 15 Avenue, Delray Beach,
Florida 33444, began his presentation requesting an extension on the approved site
plan for a hotel on Gateway Boulevard next to the Hampton Inn. The client planned on
going forward but the economy prevented any progress. The hotel industry has since
made a comeback and the project can move forward.
The hotel would stay uniform with the Renaissance project to the south side of Gateway
Boulevard in terms of design and color of the building. A timeline has been offered to
the City to show intent so there are benchmarks to make sure the project stays on track.
Mr. Brake inquired when the project would break ground. Mr. Vaughan responded
getting the drawings done would take about seven to eight weeks with the Building
Department and groundbreaking is anticipated for the beginning of October. Mr. Brake
inquired what the completion date would be and Mr. Vaughan replied it would take
about ten months to one year.
Mr. Katz asked Mr. Breese to show the slide of the hotel's intended location Mr.
Vaughan confirmed for Mr. Katz that the hotel sits back from Gateway Boulevard.
There is a bank that used to be the original House of Pancakes and the primary road to
the hotel would be behind that building. Mr. Katz inquired where signage would be
located. Mr. Vaughan replied there would be a monument sign on Quantum Boulevard
If permitted, there would also be a sign on Gateway Boulevard. Since the bank is only
one story, the hotel could be seen from Gateway Boulevard and the hotel would have a
sign on it.
Mr Katz assumed the project now had financing that was not previously available
because of the economy and Mr Vaughan responded that was correct Mr. Katz
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Meeting Minutes
Planning and Development Board
Boynton Beach, FL. April 22, 2014
commented he was against time extensions. He expressed concerned the hotel is not
directly on Gateway Boulevard and would someday no longer be a hotel. Mr. Vaughan
commented the client has done a number of hotels and knows the climate of the area.
Mr. Vaughan stated the project affiliation is between the Marriott and Hilton hotels, but
would most likely be the Marriott.
Mr. Murphy inquired if there would be another entrance from Gateway Boulevard where
the bank and the other hotel are located. Mr. Vaughan responded there would be
another entrance, but it would be more for fire trucks to get through.
Mr Wheeler inquired if there was a cross access agreement for the entrance to the
south Mr. Vaughan responded it was originally set up when the Hampton Inn was done
by the same client. The bank near this project has received the attorney's review and is
aware of all plans.
Mr. Katz questioned when the 18 month extension would begin. Mr. Breese
commented it would begin as of the last approval date and would end August 17, 2015.
Mr. Katz inquired why 18 months was needed. Mr. Breese stated there are various
issues that can happen. There may be a delay with Plan Review or storms that delay
the project. The client was asking for the maximum of 18 months to give him a buffer
should an unforeseen circumstance arise.
Chair Saberson opened the public hearing. Ms. Weinger administered an oath to
someone who arrived after the first oath was administered.
Michael Haysmer, 1475 Gateway Boulevard, inquired if the hotel was being approved
for initial planning or had it already been approved for construction. Chair Saberson
stated the approval was already granted. Construction was delayed because of the
downturn of the economy. The applicant was requesting an extension of time in order
to build the hotel. Mr. Haysmer was concerned because there was already a Holiday
Inn at Leisureville and a Holiday Inn at Hypoluxo and wondered if the City needed
another hotel. He questioned whether a better commercial development rather than a
hotel could be built that would bring business to the area
Chair Saberson explained the City does not generally get involved with the marketing
aspect and referred to Mr. Breese. Mr. Breese responded a hotel is allowed by right on
that property and the applicant cannot be denied the opportunity to construct a hotel
should he choose to do so. Mr. Katz indicated the only possibility the hotel would not be
constructed at this point would be if the time extension had not been granted. Mr. Katz
stated it is zoned properly for a hotel and someone cannot be denied to build one on it.
Another option would be for City Commission to decide there are too many hotels and
vote against the time extension.
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Meeting Minutes
Planning and Development Board
Boynton Beach, FL. April 22, 2014
Motion
Mr. Miller moved to approve the request for the site plan time extension of 18 months
for the Gateway Hotel (SPTE 14 -001) subject to all conditions of approval stated in
Exhibit "E" of the staff report. Ms. Grcevic seconded the motion.
Mr Katz stated he was voting against the 18 month extension and felt 12 months
should be sufficient time.
Vote
The vote passed 6 -1 with Mr. Katz dissenting.
Chair Saberson indicated the following items have been postponed until the May 27,
2014 meeting
B.1 500 Ocean (LUAR 14 -001) — Approve request for 500 Ocean (LUAR 14-
001) rezoning of subject property from Mixed Use High (MU -H) with
expired Master Plan for 378 multi - family residential units plus retail to
Mixed Use High (MU -H) with a new Master Plan for 341 multi - family
residential units plus retail, located at 101 South Federal Highway.
Applicant: John Wohlfarth, IBI Group
B.2 500 Ocean (NWSP 14 -002) — Approve request for New Site Plan approval
to construct 341 dwelling units within five (5) and six (6) story buildings,
retail space and associated recreational amenities and parking on a 4.69 -
acre parcel located at 101 South Federal Highway Applicant: John
Wohlfarth, IBI Group
Mr. Brake requested an update on Items B 1 and B.2 prior to postponing. Mr. Breese
stated as of last week revised drawings were submitted and were being reviewed.
Comments are expected to go back by the beginning of next week and it is anticipated
the items will be on the May 27 Board meeting. Mr. Brake inquired if the project is
proceeding according to the plans and Mr Breese stated there have been some
revisions. The applicant wanted to decrease retail space to allow more public space,
but the CRA and Planning staff felt the need for retail space was critical. The plaza had
to be redesigned to accommodate more retail space and additional office space that
was not in the original plans.
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Meeting Minutes
Planning and Development Board
Boynton Beach, FL. April 22, 2014
Motion
Mr. Katz moved to approve postponing Items B.1 and B.2 until the May 27, 2014 Board
meeting Mr. Brake seconded the motion
Vote
The motion passed unanimously
Mr. Brake announced Commissioner Joe Casello was in the audience.
8. Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Katz moved to adjourn the meeting and
Mr. Wheeler seconded the motion The meeting was adjourned at 6:49 p m.
i
ace orates
Records Coordinator
4/23/14
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